Housing without harming the countryside

It's vital we deliver homes for local people, but I'm still not convinced by the Heathlands and Lidsing Garden Village proposals.

Ask any Kent MP what issue - come rain or shine - fills their constituency postbag more than any other and I think they’d tell you the same thing: housing.

Maidstone Borough Council’s new Local Plan will determine the future of development in our community for the next decade.

It’s crucial that we get these important decisions right and that the views of local residents are heard by decision makers.

One of the concerns I hear most from people about new housing is the impact on local infrastructure – from roads to drainage.

I know from the emails and letters I receive just how much local residents want to see water quality improved and an end to localised flooding.

New homes can change the look and feel of a place, so it’s vital we get decisions about development right.

This is particularly true at Lenham Heath where there are plans to build thousands of new homes as part of a Garden Village development.

This week I put constituents’ concerns about housing targets to the new Housing Minister, Stuart Andrew MP.

There’s no doubt that we need new homes in Kent.

I recently met the Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher MP, to convey concerns from local residents and councillors about housing numbers in Kent.

People have strong feelings when it comes to new housing.

People write to me all the time who have grown up in Faversham and can no longer afford to live here so we do need new homes.

The problem is the scale of the development proposed.

Anyone who lives around Maidstone knows there are serious traffic problems in the town.

I've called on Maidstone Borough Council to tackle our grid-locked roads as part of their new Local Plan.

Like many people, I’m extremely concerned by some of the proposals for Swale Borough Council’s new Local Plan.